Top cop resigns in disgrace over link to racist and obscene posts

One of Victoria Police's most senior officers and the head of the force's Professional Standards Command has resigned in disgrace over racist and obscene posts made under the pseudonym Vernon Demerest.

Assistant Commissioner Brett Guerin, head of Professional Standards and a police officer of 40 years, was last week referred to Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog after The Age revealed he posted shocking comments under the online pseudonym "Vernon Demerest".

The Age revealed on Monday that that nom de plume has been also linked to several vile posts on social media under the Demerest alias, including references to "cheating dagos", "third world dullards", "Indian and Pakistani peasant[s]" and "jigaboo[s]".

Within an hour of The Age revealing the new allegations, Mr Guerin resigned from Victoria Police. His resignation was accepted by the chief commissioner.

The Age can reveal that Demerest posted vile insults under YouTube videos – often using profane language or referring to sodomy and rape. Some of the comments are too offensive to publish.

Under a video of a Somali pirate attack, Demerest posted: "I'm afraid this is what happens when the lash is abolished. The jigaboo runs riot and out of control. The 'boo needs the lash. The 'boo wants the lash. Deep, deep down the 'boo knows the lash provides the governance and stability."

Under a video of Argentina losing to Holland in the 1998 World Cup, he posted: "Wonderful to see greasy, diving, cheating dagoes get their just reward. Bitter, lingering defeat."

Mr Guerin was referred to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission last week after The Age revealed he was responsible for offensive comments about former Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon and former Police Association boss Paul Mullett on a blog.

Mr Guerin admitted on Thursday that he was behind the comments made under the name Vernon Demerest, after the fictional character played by Dean Martin in the 1970 movie Airport.

Last Friday, he was directed by Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton to take leave while the state's corruption watchdog investigates him.

Of Ms Nixon and Mr Mullett, "Demerest" wrote in August 2016: "She [Ms Nixon] bent the Mulletmeister [Mr Mullett] over and slipped a rather large schlong up his date courtesy of the Supreme Court's decision this morning."

It is expected IBAC will now also investigate the racist comments made under Mr Guerin's alias.

This is not the first time Mr Guerin has been linked to racist comments. In 2008, Mr Guerin called former senior sergeant Mario Benedetti a "fucken wog".

Mr Guerin told 3AW last week that it was a "throwaway comment between three blokes who had known each other for 30 years".

Mr Benedetti has a different account of the exchange. He blames force command for failing to investigate Mr Guerin at the time, and then later, promoting him to head of Professional Standards.

"It was wrong and it was definitely racist ... I got a payout because they didn't want it to go to VCAT [Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal], but I had to sign a confidentiality agreement," Mr Benedetti said.

Victoria Police spent almost $300,000 of taxpayer funds fighting the case before settling.

Mr Benedetti said the insult was made at a formal meeting with Mr Guerin after he had complained about resourcing at Moonee Ponds station.

Mr Benedetti covertly recorded the conversation, which prompted then chief commissioner Simon Overland to introduce a ban on officers taping each other.

The Age can also reveal that the Demerest nom de plume was responsible for a string of pornographic comments about Australian sporting matches.

When Carlton defeated Richmond in September 2013, "Demerest" commented: "Always important, Richmond, to stretch the hamstrings before bending over and touching one's toes to receive turgid blue schlong up the date. But then again, Richmond hammies must be used to that action by now."

Under a video of Australian batsman David Warner scoring 89 on debut against South Africa, Demerest posted: "South Africa. Bent, spread, lubed and reamed. And reamed. And reamed. Ouch."

And when Melbourne Storm beat Parramatta he posted: "Yes, the Eels certainly had their pants lowered, were bent over and reamed (without KY) by the mighty Storm. Ouch."

Demerest posted similar comments when the Australian Rugby League team defeated New Zealand.

"Very inspiring stuff. It was for the Aussies last night, at least, when they de-trousered, bent and lubed the Kiwis before reaming them with turgid Aussie schlong. Ouch."

In another bizarre online rant, Demerest claimed that women should not be allowed to sing Australia's national anthem.

"The National Anthem must never be improvised. It must always be sung by a male. A baritone. And accompanied by a band. No argument. No opinion. Just fact," he posted.

Mr Guerin defended his right to air his personal views under a pseudonym during a radio interview last week.

"I guess my default situation is when I see an argument being made that's not fair I do tend to weigh in and try to provide facts and bring some balance,'' Mr Guerin said on 3AW.

He denied he had used a police computer to make the posts.

In response to the fresh revelations, a Victoria Police spokesman said: "In accordance with his obligations under the Victoria Police Act, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has referred a matter involving allegations against Assistant Commissioner Brett Guerin to IBAC," the spokesman said.